Lowe's breaks ground for new distribution center in Rome
Governor announces home improvement retailer to create 600 jobs, invest $125 million
Gov. Nathan Deal today joined representatives of Lowe’s to break ground in Floyd County for a new regional distribution center. Lowe’s will create 600 jobs within three years and invest $125 million in the project, slated for completion in 2013.
“Georgia’s logistics and workforce advantages help make us exactly the right place for Lowe’s to be,” said Deal. “Companies draw from their past experiences when deciding where to locate, so I’m pleased Lowe’s experiences with its other facilities here have been positive and helped contribute to its success throughout the Southeast.”
The 1.4-million-square-foot facility will be located on 140 acres in the North Floyd Industrial Park. The new distribution center, which will service Lowe’s stores in western Georgia, northern Florida and Alabama, joins Lowe’s three other warehousing/distribution facilities in Georgia, one in Valdosta, one in Palmetto and one in Savannah. The distribution center expects to begin operating in early 2013, and the company will announce hiring plans in the near future. Georgia QuickStart, one of the nation’s top workforce training programs, will help Lowe’s prepare its workers to begin operations the day the center opens.
“We chose Floyd County because of the talented workforce, accessibility to major transportation corridors and the commitment of local and state leaders to make this a win-win project,” said Mike Mabry, Lowe’s executive vice president. “Not only will there be construction jobs and initial investment, there will be salaries going back into the local community and ongoing benefits for Floyd County and the state of Georgia for many years to come.”
Lowe’s and its subsidiaries operate as a home improvement retailer in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company offers a range of products for home decorating, maintenance, repair, remodeling and property maintenance. It provides home improvement products in the categories of appliances, paint, lumber, flooring, building materials, millwork, lawn and landscape products, hardware, fashion plumbing, tools, lighting, seasonal living, rough plumbing, nursery, outdoor power equipment, cabinets and countertops, rough electrical, home environment, home organization, and windows and walls. The company also offers installation services through independent contractors in various product categories. Lowe's Companies serves homeowners and renters, primarily consisting of do-it-yourself customers and do-it-for-me customers, as well as others buying for personal and family use; and commercial business customers, who work in the construction, repair/remodel, commercial and residential property management, or business maintenance professions.
“This announcement is great news for Rome and Floyd County,” said Chairman Eddie Lumsden of the Floyd County Commission. “Our citizens made this possible through their support of the 2009 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which included resources for economic development. We chose to invest in ourselves and that investment is paying off.”
“The intersection of Ga. 53 and Ga. 140 is a great strategic location for this distribution center,” said Rome Mayor Evie McNiece. “I am overjoyed with this announcement and am looking forward to Lowe’s growth and prosperity in our community.”
“This project truly shows the benefits of the ‘culture of cooperation’ among the leaders in our community, and we are grateful to Governor Deal and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their participation in this project,” said Dr. Greg Sumner, Chairman of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDecD) Commissioner Chris Cummiskey agreed, stating: “This facility is a great addition to the community and our state, and we’re pleased that the resources we bring to the table, like a great logistics network and ample workforce, will contribute to more success for Lowe’s in Georgia.” GDEcD’s project manager Scott McMurray partnered with the community to facilitate Lowe’s location.
About Lowe’s
With fiscal year 2010 sales of $48.8 billion, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 50 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,725 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.